Final answer:
The upper end of the cripple studs below a window are connected by a horizontal structural member called a sill plate, which supports the window and transfers loads to the cripple studs.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of residential construction and architecture, the upper end of the cripple studs that are installed below a window are most commonly connected by a horizontal structural member known as a sill plate or simply a sill. This sill acts as the bottom frame of a window and provides a base on which the window rests while transferring loads to the cripple studs beneath.
It's similar in function to a lintel, which supports the wall above a window, but a sill is located below the window. The arrangement of these structural elements ensures stable support for the window and proper transfer of loads within the wall framing.